President Zardari to seek personal interest in assistance package for victims of terrorism

BISP directed to devise assistance package for terror victims


Pakistan Times Special Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) to devise a comprehensive assistance package for the victims of terrorism.

He also advised that the assistance of professional bodies running charities may also be sought to make BISP more effective and also to attract funds for the Program from various international donors.

The President said this while chairing a meeting in which presentations on Benazir Income Support Program and NADRA were given to him in the Presidency on Friday.

The presentations were attended among others by Minister for Labour and Manpower Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Interior Rehman A. Malik, Finance Minister Shoukat Tarin, Minister for Health Mir Ejaz Jhakrani, Ms Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary-General Salman Farooqui and spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.

She said that through Emergency Relief Package, an amount of Rs. 28 million has been paid to 3965 families of FATA and Bajaur whereas Rs. 26 million paid to the 3729 earthquake affected families of Balochistan.

It may also be recalled that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a contribution of $ 85 million to BISP during her visit to Pakistan.

Babar said that the world community recognizes and appreciates the utility and usefulness of the Program and the way it is being managed in a transparent manner above any party affiliations or any influence whatsoever.